LOS ANGELES — Officials have confirmed four LAPD officers were assigned to home pending an internal affairs investigation after allegations they were recorded making racist and sexist comments about job applicants, the LA Times reported.

In a statement on Friday, Mayor Karen Bass said about the allegations:

“Growing LAPD’s ranks is a top priority of this Administration, and for our city’s safety, so this conduct is especially outrageous and unacceptable,” the LA Times reported. “The Chief and I are on the same page about the urgent need to fix the recruiting and hiring process and make sure that officers stuck in the past don’t tarnish the badge for everyone else.”

The officers who were sent home include a lieutenant, a sergeant and two officers assigned to Los Angeles Police Department’s recruiting office, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The the officers’ removal was approved by Police Chief Jim McDonnell, who also issued a statement, which said in part:

“I am deeply disappointed by reports that certain officers were recorded making racist and offensive comments regarding department applicants. Such behavior is in direct opposition to the core values of this department and the trust we strive to uphold with the communities we serve.”

The alleged racist and sexist comments were not reported.

One source told the LA Times that the officers’ alleged comments were “far worse than what Nury Martinez and the council members said.”

More on the LAPD officers’ alleged racist and sexist comments.